Movement and speed are important elements of the fair’s appeal. Sensation and suspense are closely related to them.
The fairground is the place where thrills of many kinds can be bought. Attractions like the bungee-jump and the wild-water chute are especially in demand with young daredevils. The fair is the place par excellence to impress your mates or your new girlfriend. Thrill seekers are seldom disappointed by the showmen who know what their audience wants.
The Montagne Russe-rollercoaster about 1950.
The Cyclotron is an attraction in which you are being pushed against the wall because of the speed. Poster from the 1950s.
The Taquilla Evolution in the 1990s. This modern attraction was built in Bergantino. It is extremely popular all over the world.
The Wave Swinger Chairoplanes at Hull Pleasure Fair in 1997.
The Giostra Aerei, a product of Bergantino, in 1951. This Flying Ride was designed and built by Albino Protti.
Awaiting the looping.
Mattie and Doug Taylor’s Terminator Top Spin at Nottingham Goose Fair. The photograph was taken in October 1993. The attraction was built by Soriani and Moser. It was named the Terminator as it was painted in the style of James Cameron’s 1984 Terminator-film. When the ride rotated the operator would quote Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous line “Hasta La Vista, Baby!”
Fun at Milan Fair in the 1950s.
At the fair "The Wall of Death" was seen as one of the greatest tests of courage. The audience, often as nervous as the driver, looked on in anticipation as the heroic figure zoomed around below them defying the laws of gravity.
Almost a scene from a computer-game. The Bomber, the Equinox and the Top Buzz at Hull Pleasure Fair in 2002.
“Shall we go in or not?” Some new attractions, including the Super Bowl, at Hull Fair in 1997.
Photo taken by someone without fear of heights.
Elliot Hall’s Top Buzz No 1 (Top Scan) at the Rotherham Fair on Herringthorpe Playing Fields in 1994.
A Dragon Coaster at Nottingham Goose Fair in 1993.
One of J. W. de Voer’s caterpillars (‘rupsbaan’ in Dutch) circa 1960.
A spinning caterpillar.
Ferris wheel by night.
Rollercoaster at the 1972 Rekreade Fair on the Malieveld in The Hague.
Laughing bravely with a steep dive ahead.
Spectacular panorama of a rollercoaster at Milan Fair in the early 1900s.